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Rabies outbreak suspends Feral Cat Program

By Matlin SmithCurrent-Argus Staff Writer

Posted:
04/14/2012 11:54:21 PM MDT

CARLSBAD  Due to the danger posed by the current rabies outbreak in Carlsbad, the Noah's Ark Animal Shelter Board of Directors has decided to temporarily suspend the Feral Cat Program, officials said last week.

Volunteers with the program trap feral cats in Carlsbad, vaccinate, spay/neuter and release the animals back into the wild.

Recently, volunteers with the program trapped a rabid skunk in one of their cat traps and determined that the skunk had tangled with a group of more than 20 stray cats near a residence in the 2400 block of Primrose Street.

Carlsbad Police Department Lt. Jennifer Moyers said Wednesday most of the cats in that area have been trapped and animal control officers are still attempting to trap the remaining three cats in the group.

A rabid skunk was also observed with a group of more than 10 feral cats on Canal Street. Moyers said Wednesday that seven of the cats have been trapped and animal control officers continue to trap in that area.

"I really want to stress that we are not giving up on the (feral cat) program, and will begin again as soon as the rabies problem is under control," said Noah's Ark Director Angela Cary. "Unfortunately, more stray/feral cats will be euthanized in the next few months than ever, but we are doing so in an attempt to protect the people and pets in the community.

"If rabies gets a foothold in the huge feral cat population, it would be extremely dangerous for pets and people, especially children.

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Rabies changes the behavior of animals, wild or domestic, and can cause previously wild/shy animals to become aggressive or even act friendly."

Cary said residents are conditioned to "run the other way" if they encounter a skunk, but their first instinct with a friendly cat, especially when it approaches a child, is to pet it.

"The only thing that will keep us from having to euthanize more pets is if every owner in Carlsbad does the right thing and keeps their animals up-to-date on rabies vaccinations," she said.

According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, since December 2011, Carlsbad has seen about 30 skunks test positive for rabies, which NM Department of Health Veterinarian Dr. Paul Ettestad said is the biggest rabies outbreak in the state since the 1970s.

Rabid skunks have tangled with dogs, cats and sheep in the area, requiring more than 30 pets and farm animals to be euthanized, Ettestad said. A dozen people in the county have received rabies shots as a precaution.

According to the article, from 2001 to 2011, 28 people in the U.S. died from rabies, said the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Skunks, raccoons, coyotes, foxes and bats are considered primary carriers of the fatal virus.

Moyers said Wednesday that the United State Department of Agriculture has an agent stationed in Malaga who helps area ranchers with predator animals on their property.

He will now assist Carlsbad animal control with trapping skunks, considered to be a nuisance animal, and will be an additional resource during the current rabies outbreak.